Southwestern Pennsylvania Celebrates New Nonstop Air Service to Paris

Pittsburgh air travelers to enjoy connecting opportunities to more than 90 cities in Europe via Paris hub

PITTSBURGH, PA — Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), the world’s largest airline, and members of the Regional Air Service Partnership (RASP) today announced the start of Delta’s first-ever nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport. The new route, enabled by Delta’s successful joint venture with Air France, will offer Pittsburgh air travelers convenient connections to more than 90 cities in Europe via Air France’s Paris hub. The Pittsburgh-Paris service will launch on June 3, 2009. Flights can be booked today at www.Delta.com.

“Strategic and unique international growth – bolstered by our innovative partnership with Air France and merger with Northwest – has been a cornerstone of Delta’s successful business strategy over the last several years,” said Robert Cortelyou, senior vice president – Network Planning, Delta Air Lines.

RASP, a partnership of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County, and the Allegheny County Airport Authority, has been working to restore nonstop air service to Europe from Pittsburgh. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Strategic Investment Fund also joined forces to make today’s announcement a reality.

“Reestablishing nonstop air service to Europe has been one of my highest priorities during the last four years,” said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. “Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the Regional Air Service Partnership and our region’s business community, we have achieved this important goal. Nonstop service to Paris will enhance access to Europe for international companies based here. It is also a critical step in attracting international air cargo and trade to Pittsburgh International Airport, which is positioned for great expansion of passenger and cargo services. Today’s announcement opens the door to exciting opportunities that could lead to more jobs, commerce and other development.”

“Pittsburgh is an important international business location. Direct international service is critical to the growing position we have in the global economy,” said Michael Langley, chief executive officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its Affiliates. “Companies based here have both customers and operations across Europe and around the world. The ability to fly directly from Pittsburgh to Europe and beyond will make our region an even more competitive location for business investment.”

“Pittsburgh International Airport has proven its ability to increase the market of air travelers and will continue to stimulate even more traffic from out of neighboring communities,” said Glenn Mahone, chairman of the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “Delta has recognized this along with our capacity, excellent airport design and 24/7 customs and immigration services. For business and leisure travelers, the time savings with a nonstop Paris flight is significant, an aggregated time-savings value of $7.4 million.”

Pittsburgh’s global ties play an important role in the region’s economy. In 2007, regional companies generated almost $5 billion in overseas profits, up 55 percent since 2001. Regional exports grew by 20 percent in 2006 to more than $8.2 billion. Meanwhile, there are more than 330 foreign-owned companies from 29 different countries operating 850 facilities and employing more than 46,000 people in the region.

The routes will be operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft, with seating for up to 174 passengers, including 16 seats in Delta’s BusinessElite and 158 in economy class. Customers flying BusinessElite on any Delta international aircraft enjoy Delta on Demand featuring first-run and popular classic movies, music, TV programming and video games – all available on demand; a five-course menu offering culinary creations by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein; a reinvented wine program by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson featuring wines from around the world; full-size pillows and duvets; and in-seat power outlets that allow customers to recharge their laptops.

The first phase of Delta’s joint venture with Air France was implemented in April 2008 coinciding with a landmark Open Skies agreement that liberalized air transport between the European Union and the United States

Delta’s new service between
Pittsburgh and Paris

Flight

Departs

Arrives

Effective

Frequency

188

Pittsburgh at 6:15 p.m.

Paris at 8:20 a.m. (next day)

June 3, 2009

Daily (except Tuesday and Friday)

189

Paris at 10:40 a.m.

Pittsburgh at 1:55 p.m.

June 3, 2009

Daily (except Tuesday and Friday)

To celebrate the new service Delta is offering a one-way special fare of $599 from Raleigh-Durham to Paris and from Pittsburgh to Paris (based on a round-trip purchase) for travel through June 30, 2009. However, customers should act fast as availability is limited and tickets at these fares must be purchased by Nov. 21, 2008. *Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply. Go to Delta.com for more information.